The Barcelona shakeup continues to unfold. After an emergency meeting on Monday, the Spanish giants announced the sacking of Quique Setien as manager, a decision that was obvious and inevitable after the 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich. However, the gaffer is not the only Blaugrana man to lose his job.
The Catalan heavyweights have now announced the departure of Eric Abidal, the club's sporting director. The Frenchman, a loved Camp Nou player turned disappointing executive, had come under heavy criticism as of late due to the club's disastrous signings. Many predicted his departure would follow Setien's and on Tuesday, this was confirmed.
"FC Barcelona and Éric Abidal have reached an agreement for the ending of the contract that united the two parties," a statement on Barcelona's official website read.
"The Club would publicly like to thank Éric Abidal for his professionalism, commitment, dedication and the close and positive nature of his relationship with all aspects of the Blaugrana family."
Abidal was one of the higher-ups who had a strained relationship with the dressing room despite being brought in to be the bridge. The Frenchman, after hinting that the players were to blame for Valverde's sacking, suffered the wrath of Lionel Messi, with the Argentine publicly hitting out at the sporting department. It remains unclear who will take the sporting director role permanently.
With Eric gone, all eyes turn to who will be coming in for the managerial position. Despite early links with Pochettino, Ronald Koeman is currently the outright favorite to succeed Setien. In fact, the Dutchman was pictured at an airport in Barcelona not too long ago and has now hinted that the deal is a formality when asked about the job by reporters.
"I can't say much right now," he said (as per Marca).
"Yes, I would like [to become Barcelona coach], that's clear.
"It would be a dream come true.
"But it's only certain once there is an agreement and signatures on paper."
As for Josep Maria Bartomeu, despite widespread calls for his resignation, the Barcelona president will remain in charge until next year. Everyone demanded the 2021 summer elections be brought forward to this year and while the club have decided to fast-forwarded things, it will only take place in March.
